System for mounting camera equipment

ABSTRACT

A modular bridging system comprises a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging system; a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel; a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section; and a leg fastener securing the received leg section such that the received leg section and the elongate rail are configurable to be temporarily affixed in place in relation to each other, wherein a securing point of the fastener is adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/298,629, filed Mar. 11, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/852,858, filed Dec. 22, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,228,610, issued Mar. 12, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/471,490, filed Mar. 28, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,885,941, issued Feb. 6, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/319,682, filed Jun. 30, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,625,084, issued Apr. 18, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/841,992, filed Jul. 2, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all proper purposes as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to equipment used in the motion picture industry to support and dynamically mount cameras and accessories for use during production. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems and apparatuses for mounting camera equipment that allow cameras to slide.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In film production, it is often desirable to take a camera shot while moving the camera mount laterally, rather than keeping the camera still or simply rotating a camera about an axis. Such shots are generally known as dolly shots, and as specific kind of dolly shot where the camera slides smoothly alongside a moving subject are known as dynamic slider shots. Dolly shots, and particularly dynamic slider shots typically add to the production value of a film.

One current way of filming a dynamic slider shot is to use large pieces of mounting equipment that are secured to stationary objects. These known pieces of equipment typically require three or four members of the camera crew (known as “grips”) approximately one to one-and-a-half hours to set up. In addition, the equipment itself usually costs tens of thousands of dollars. The labor, time, and expense involved in setting up a dynamic slider shot are disadvantageous, and often prohibitive, to filmmakers with modest budgets. Additionally, existing slider systems usually come in set lengths of not more than four feet. Yet another problem that exists with currently available dolly shot equipment is that it is difficult to set up and use on non-level surfaces, especially those that exist in natural outdoor landscapes. Therefore, there exists a need for systems, methods, and apparatuses to remedy these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Exemplary aspects of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a modular bridging system, which may comprise a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging system; a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel; a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section; and a leg fastener securing the received leg section such that the received leg section and the elongate rail are configurable to be temporarily affixed in place in relation to each other. A securing point of the fastener may be adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the system, including modular bridging structures, rails, and a camera-mounting wheeled tray.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the camera-mounting wheeled tray.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the camera-mounting wheeled tray.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the camera-mounting wheeled tray, showing tray safeties engaged in particular directions.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the camera-mounting wheeled tray, showing tray safeties engaged in different directions than in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of two modular bridging structures connected to two rails and four adjustable legs.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the camera-mounting wheeled tray mounted on the rails.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of FIG. 8, showing particularly a friction brake apparatus on the tray.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the modular bridging structure.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of three modular bridging structures connected to two rails on one side of each support structure.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a rail securing mechanism according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of components of a locking mechanism which is part of the rail securing mechanism of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 is a partial top perspective view of the rail securing mechanism of FIG. 14, showing a medial bar disposed within a recess.

FIG. 17A shows side views of an inner wedge piece and an outer wedge piece of the locking mechanism of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17B shows a front view of the outer wedge piece shown in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the modular bridging structure with the rail securing mechanism of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 shows a top perspective view of the modular bridging structure shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a dynamic slider shot system 10. The system 10 shown is comprised of a camera-mounting wheeled tray 11 (referred to herein as “tray”) with wheels 12, rails 25, legs 35, and two modular bridging structures 40. The modular bridging structures 40 act as a rigid bar between the rails, and also serve to connect the rails 25 and legs 35 in a bridge-like configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, shown is the tray 11 with wheels 12. The tray 11 has a substantially flat planar surface, and a top side 16 and bottom side 17. In the embodiment shown, there are four wheels 12, two of which are located at a first end 13 and two of which are located at a second end 14 of the tray 11. However, different embodiments may have fewer or more than four wheels, and they may be located in places other than the ends of the tray. The wheels 12 are attached to axes 18, and the axes are substantially parallel to the flat planar surface of the tray 11. The wheels 12 rotate around the respective axes 18 to which they are attached, and rotate at substantially a right angle in relationship to the flat planar surface of the tray 11.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show guide wheels 15 attached to the bottom side 17 of the tray 11. The guide wheels 15 are attached to axes 19. The axes 19 are substantially perpendicular to the flat planar surface of the tray 11. The guide wheels 15 rotate in a substantially parallel orientation in relation to the flat planar surface of the tray 11. In the embodiment shown, there are four guide wheels 15 on the tray 11, but in other embodiments there may be fewer or more guide wheels 15.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a threaded bolt 20 which is used for securing a friction brake, which will be described presently. The tray 11 has a circular opening 30 located substantially in the middle of the tray 11. This opening 30 can be a film industry standard opening with a four-inch diameter known as a Mitchell mount, and can be used for mounting a camera. Surrounding the opening is a circumferential flange 24, which contains a plurality of through holes 23 that are used for mounting various ball heads, which are common attachment points for various cameras. The plurality of through holes 23 allow for the attachment of cameras ranging from large professional studio versions to small personal versions. The circumferential flange 24 may be configured in various ways to support various kinds of cameras available in the industry, and may include features such as ridges, different geometric shapes, and radially extending channels, for example. The tray 11 also has a plurality of through holes 21 on the surface that are used for camera accessories and mounting options.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 4 and 5, tray safeties 26 are located on the bottom of the. The embodiment depicted shows two tray safeties 26, but other embodiments may have more or fewer. The tray safeties 26 have vertical sections 28 which are substantially perpendicular to the flat planar surface of the tray 11, and horizontal sections 27, which are substantially parallel to the flat planar surface of the tray 11. The vertical sections 28 can rotate at their points of attachment to the tray. Alternatively, the horizontal sections 27 can rotate at their points of attachment to the vertical sections 27. The horizontal sections 27 are disposed at a distance from the flat planar surface of the tray that allows a rail section to be received, with very little additional clearance, between the flat planar surface and the horizontal section 27. When horizontal section 27 is rotated over a rail section, it prevents the tray 11 from being lifted off of the rails by an unbalanced weight that would otherwise make the tray 11 topple over.

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown is a system in which two modular bridging structures 40 are joined together with rail sections 42 and leveling legs 44. Each modular bridging structure 40 has a plurality of rail channels that are configured to receive rail sections 42. In the embodiment shown, each modular bridging structure 40 has two rail channels 43. In one embodiment, the rail channels 43 are sized to snugly fit commonly found structures that can be used as the rail sections 42. Rail sections 42 can be made of any suitable, substantially rigid material that fits within the rail channels 43. Examples are PVC pipe or cylindrical aluminum fencing rails found at hardware stores. Rail sections 42 can be any length the user desires, limited only by the structural support necessary for the weight of the equipment. Long rail sections that are required to support standard camera equipment should be strong and rigid enough that they do not bend substantially under the weight of the camera and tray. Commonly found PVC pipe and aluminum fencing pipes would ideally fit within the rail channels 43, although a variety of rail channel sizes and rail section sizes are contemplated. A rail channel 43 that is sized to fit commonly found sizes of pipes would allow a filmmaker to travel to a film set with just the modular bridging structure 40 and the tray 11 and buy inexpensive, common materials for the rails and legs at hardware stores near the location.

Each rail channel 43 has at least one hole through the side of the channel that allows a rail fastener 45 to engage with the rail section 42 and tighten it within the rail channel 43. Each modular bridging structure 40 also has leg holes at each end to receive legs 44. There are three different types of leg holes on each modular bridging structure 40 in the embodiment depicted. Referring briefly to FIG. 10, there are bottom leveling leg holes 55, top leveling leg holes 56, and standard leg holes 57. Bottom leveling leg holes 55 and top leveling leg holes 56 comprise the ends of a leg receiver 49 that receives leveling legs 44. They are called “leveling” legs because they can be adjusted such that the modular bridging structure 40, rail sections 42, and tray 11 can stay level in relation to a set plane even if the terrain beneath the length of the rails is uneven. The leg receiver 49 allows the leveling legs to pass through the top of the modular bridging structure 40 in case a particular leveling leg 44 needs to be shortened. Leveling legs 44 can be made of any suitable, substantially rigid material. Examples are PVC pipe or cylindrical aluminum fencing rails commonly found at hardware stores. Such materials come in standard sizes and would ideally be sized to fit snugly within the bottom and top leveling holes 55 and 56, although leveling legs of different sizes are contemplated. Adjustment knobs 52 are provided to secure the leveling legs 44 within the leg receiver 49. Adjustment knobs 52 in this embodiment are two large thumb screws which may be tightened manually. Adjustment knobs 52 may be loosened such that the end of the screw disengages completely with the leveling leg 44, or tightened such that the end of the screw engages with the leveling leg 44 such that the leg cannot move within the leg receiver.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is the tray 11 with wheels 12 and 15 mounted in an operable position on the rail sections 42, between two modular bridging structures 40. The tray safeties 26 are positioned such that the horizontal sections 27 hover over the rail sections 42, which would effectively prevent the tray 11 from tipping over if it were bearing an unbalanced load. However, since the horizontal sections 27 do not touch the rail, they simultaneously allow the tray 11 to roll unimpeded along the rail sections 42 between the modular bridging structures 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, shown is the tray 11 mounted as in FIG. 7, with a view of the friction brake 20. In this embodiment depicted, the friction brake 20 is comprised of an L-bracket 80 which is fixedly mounted on the tray 11. A threaded bolt 81 is attached to the L-bracket 80. In some embodiments, the end of the threaded bolt 81 can be smooth or beveled, such that when the threaded bolt 81 is fully tightened, the pressure it puts on the rail section 42 is sufficient to prevent the tray 11 from sliding at all. When the threaded bolt 81 is not fully tightened, it does not create any contact with the rail section 42, and the tray 11 can slide freely. Alternatively, in other embodiments, there can be a brake pad (not shown) attached to the end of the threaded bolt 81 that sits between the bracket 80 and the rail section 42. This brake pad can be made of, for example, polyurethane, but other suitable braking materials can be used. The threaded bolt 81 can be manually adjusted to create pressure between the brake pad and the rail section 42. Sometimes, users will construct the dynamic slider shot rail system so that one end is higher than the other, creating an incline. The user may want to allow the tray and mounted camera to move down the rails using gravity rather than manually pushing or pulling the tray and camera. This allows the equipment to accelerate uniformly. The friction brake 20 can be to adjust the fall rate, or speed, of the tray and camera down the rail system. The threaded bolt 81 that is configured with a brake pad can also be tightened enough so the tray 11 is secured in a stationary position.

Referring now to FIG. 10, shown is the modular bridging structure 40 with a bubble level 160. The bubble level 160 can be used to visually confirm whether the modular bridging structure 40 is level in relation to at least one plane. Also shown are the standard leg holes 57 allow the modular bridging structure 40 to be used with legs and stands that are currently available in the industry. In the embodiment depicted, the standard leg holes 57 allow legs to be inserted until the top of the leg abuts the structure underneath the rail channel 43. A user may want to use standard leg holes 57 with commercially-available legs on a surface that is level. A user may also want to use the standard leg holes 57 on an industry standard vehicle-mounted camera platform. Examples of vehicle mounted platforms are those commonly known as “lunch trays” mounted on the sides of cars (the cars being commonly known as “picture vehicles”), or those platforms mounted on top of a truck, (the trucks commonly known as “shot makers”). Because the modular bridging structure 40 has both standard leg holes and leg receivers 49, a user can use the same modular bridging structure 40 for level dolly shots, inclined dolly shots, vehicle-mounted shots, and many other kinds of shots. This functionality can reduce the amount of equipment the user needs over the course of a variety of film projects.

Referring now to FIG. 11, this embodiment of the modular bridging structure depicts a total of four outer leg holes 110, 111, 112, and 113. Leg holes 110 and 111 are positioned to receive a leg section (not shown). In this embodiment, the top leg hole 110 is offset from the bottom leg hole 111, with the top leg hole 110 being disposed closer to the center of the modular bridging structure 40 than the bottom leg hole 111. It is contemplated that these leg holes could be aligned vertically, with no offset, or at a greater angle than shown in this embodiment, or that the leg angle created by the offset of the holes could be adjustable. The presently depicted embodiment allows for stability of the rail system when long legs are used. When a user wants to position the slider shot several feet off the ground, the angle of the legs is desirable to create a wider base of support the higher the modular bridging structure 40 is connected. In the embodiment depicted, leg holes 112 and 113 are situated in relation to each other in a similar manner as leg holes 110 and 111.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a bottom view of the embodiment in FIG. 11 is shown. Leg holes 110 and 111 from FIG. 11 comprise the ends of one leg receiver 115. Similarly, leg holes 112 and 113 comprise the ends of another leg receiver 116. A longitudinal axis runs through the midline of the modular bridging structure 40 from the first end 120 to the second end 130, through a center through hole 125. Leg receivers 115 and 116 are offset on opposing sides of this longitudinal axis. This offset configuration prevents long leg sections from hitting each other high above the modular bridging section 40. A user may desire particularly long leg sections in order to take slider shots many feet off the ground, as mentioned earlier. If the user wants to take shots lower to the ground, the user may use the same long leg sections, but position the modular bridging structure 40 lower, without having the top ends of the leg sections hit each other.

FIG. 13 shows two rail sections 42 received by three modular bridging structures 40 on one side. A small gap 150 exists between the two rail sections 42 in the middle of the rail channel 43, showing that one rail channel 43 can receive two ends of two rail sections 42. Users may use as many modular bridging structures as they desire in order to create slider tracks of varying lengths. Users will not be limited to standard lengths of existing commercially-available slider tracks, which are often limited to two, three, four, or feet in length.

The center through hole 125 can be used to attach the modular bridging structure 40 to various industry standard stands, some of which are known as JR and combo stands. Side through holes 135 can be used to mount other industry standard stands such as tripods or mono pods. In the present embodiment, there are two side through holes 135, but additional industry standard through holes are contemplated in other embodiments. Such standard mounting holes allow the modular bridging structure 40 to be used in various combinations with adjustable legs sections, JR stands, combo stands, mono pods, and tripods, which in turn allows users to maximize the equipment they already have. For example, if a user had a plurality of modular bridging structures 40, and a fixed amount of rail and leg sections, but decided on the set to extend the rails a bit longer, he or she could use the leg sections to create an extra length of rail, and substitute an industry standard tripod for the legs under one of the modular bridging structures.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a rail securing mechanism of the present disclosure, by which one or more rails may be secured to the modular bridging structure in a different manner that by the rail channel 43 and rail fastener 45 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 14, a rail securing assembly 143 comprises features and a mechanism for locking rails of varying sizes snugly to the modular bridging structure 40. In the embodiment shown, rails of varying sizes may be securely mounted without causing damage to the rail. Such damage may occur through the use of other rail-securing mechanisms, such as turning a rail fastener (e.g., a metal screw) to tighten directly against the rail. The present rail-mounting embodiment permits re-use of the same rails without damage. The rail securing assembly 143 comprises, on a side closest to an outer portion (i.e., distal end) of the modular bridging structure 40, an outer wall portion 161, which is integrally formed as part of the modular bridging structure 40.

The rail securing assembly 143 further comprises a locking mechanism 155, which itself comprises two inner wedge pieces 163, inner each wedge piece 163 being disposed between outer wedge pieces 167 and a medial bar 168, each of which will be described in further detail. The interior wall portion 165 may be on a side closest to the interior of the modular bridging structure 40, and is also integrally formed with the modular bridging structure 40. In the embodiment shown, both the exterior wall portion 161 and the interior wall portion 165 are stationary and integrally formed, having a recess 164 (shown in FIG. 16) also integrally formed between them and configured to retain the locking mechanism 155.

The recess 164, as shown, retains the locking mechanism 155 while allowing some of the locking mechanism's 155 component parts to move from a “loose” or “unlocked” position to a “tightened” or “locked” position. FIG. 15 shows an exploded view of several components of the locking mechanism 155, including a tightening bolt 156, a bolt handle 157, outer wedge pieces 167, and inner wedge pieces 163. Turning briefly to FIG. 16, shown is another component of the locking mechanism 155, which is the medial bar 168. In the embodiment shown, the medial bar 168 is fixed to the recess 164. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the medial bar 168 may not be fixed. As shown, the medial bar 168 is configured to receive the tightening bolt 156 through its middle.

Turning back to FIG. 15, the outer wedge pieces 167 are threaded to receive the corresponding threads from the tightening bolt 156 when rotated by the bolt handle 157. FIG. 17A shows how sloped surfaces of an outer wedge piece 167 and an inner wedge piece 163 interface with each other. The sloped surfaces may be smooth to allow the inner wedge piece 163 to slide in relation to the outer wedge piece 167 when they are in contact. FIG. 17B shows an oblong opening 171 of the inner wedge piece 163, which, as shown, is not threaded, and which is taller than it is wide. The width of the oblong opening 171 is sized to snugly accommodate the tightening bolt 156, while its height permits the oblong opening 171 to move up and down in relation to the tightening bolt 156.

FIG. 18 shows a bottom view of the modular bridging structure 40 with the rail securing mechanism 143 constructed as part of a detachable rail-and-leg retaining structures 178. In this embodiment of the modular bridging structure, a bottom connecting plate 175 may connect the rail-and-leg retaining structures 178 via one or more fasteners 177. This embodiment of the modular bridging structure 40 allows for disassembly and compact storage and transport, which provides benefits of improved portability to the user. FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 18.

Turning back to FIG. 14, the locking mechanism 155 works to secure a rail by causing the inner wedge pieces 163 to move upward into the space of the rail channel when the tightening bolt 156 is turned and tightened by the bolt handle 157. That is, when the tightening bolt 156 engages the threaded outer wedge pieces 167, it draws them together toward the inner wedge pieces 163 and the medial bar 168. As pressure is applied to the inner wedge pieces 163 from the moving outer wedge pieces 167 and the fixed medial bar 168, the sloped interfaces between the inner wedge pieces 163 and outer wedge pieces 167 cause the inner wedge pieces 163 to move upward, which they have room to do because the inner wedge pieces 163 have the non-threaded, oblong opening 171.

A user may freely slide a rail into the rail channel 43 through one of its sides when the locking mechanism 155 is loose, such that the entire modular bridging structure 40 may slide along the length of rail, or conversely, that the entire length of the rail may slide through the rail channel 43. In is contemplated that the dimensions and rigidity of the rail channel itself would not allow the rail to pop out from the top opening of the rail channel 43 when the locking mechanism 155 is completely tightened such that the rail can no longer slide in relation to the modular bridging structure 40. The top opening of the rail channel 43 may be particularly sized to allow the wheels of the camera-mounting wheeled tray to interface unimpeded with the rail. Though the inner wedge pieces 163 reduce the space within the rail channel 43 such that the rail is locked in place, their flat top surfaces apply pressure without damaging the rail itself, which provides the benefit of maintaining a smooth surface of the rail over many uses.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular bridging system, comprising a channel configured to receive a portion of an elongate rail, the channel being configured to receive the elongate rail substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the modular bridging system; a rail fastener securing the received rail within the channel; a leg receiver configured to receive an elongate leg section; and a leg fastener securing the received leg section such that the received leg section and the elongate rail are configurable to be temporarily affixed in place in relation to each other, wherein a securing point of the fastener is adjustable along a plurality of points along each leg section.
 2. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the rail is received within the channel in an orientation where the rail passes from a front side to a back side of the modular bridging system.
 3. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the leg receiver is configured to receive an elongate leg such that the leg passes through a bottom side and a top side of the modular bridging system.
 4. The modular bridging system of claim 3, wherein there are two leg receivers, each configured to receive one leg.
 5. The modular bridging system of claim 4, wherein the leg receivers are offset from each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis.
 6. The modular bridging system of claim 4, wherein the two leg receivers receive the legs such that the legs are substantially parallel to each other.
 7. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the channel that is configured to receive an elongate rail can receive two ends of two separate rails.
 8. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of receivers for receiving legs of the same length, wherein; leg fasteners fixedly secure legs of the same length.
 9. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the leg receiver is between one and two inches in diameter.
 10. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the channel configured to receive elongate rail sections is between one and two inches in diameter.
 11. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the rail fastener is a screw.
 12. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the leg fastener comprises a clamp.
 13. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the modular bridging system is comprised of anodized aluminum.
 14. The modular bridging system of claim 1, wherein the modular bridging system has a plurality of through holes configured to attach to devices selected from among a JR stand, a combo stand, a monopod, and a tripod.
 15. The modular bridging system of claim 1, further comprising: a camera-mounting wheeled tray configured to roll along the at least one elongate rail.
 16. The modular bridging system of claim 16, wherein the camera-mounting wheeled tray comprises a friction brake.
 17. The modular bridging system of claim 16, wherein the camera-mounting wheeled tray comprises a plurality of holes for mounting various sizes of cameras and accessories.
 18. The modular bridging system of claim 16, wherein the camera-mounting wheeled tray comprises safeties.
 19. The modular bridging system of claim 16, wherein the camera mounting wheeled tray comprises eight wheels. 